Hornbill Festival Nagaland

The Hornbill Festival, a widely celebrated event in Nagaland, is often referred to as the “festival of all festivals.” This grand annual celebration brings the culture of Nagaland, in North East India, to life in a captivating manner. It showcases the rich heritage of the Naga people through spectacular traditional music, dance, and performances that are nothing short of mesmerizing. The festival is a colorful amalgamation of diverse Naga tribes, each wholeheartedly contributing to make it more vibrant and captivating. It’s a unifying event where people from all walks of life come together to create an extraordinary celebration.

This exceptional occasion attracts visitors from all around the world who come either to witness the festivities or actively participate in them, often doing both. The Hornbill Festival provides a unique opportunity for outsiders to gain a deeper understanding of Naga culture. Visitors are encouraged to engage in various elaborate dance and musical performances as well as competitions, offering a beautiful showcase of Nagaland’s cultural practices. The people of Nagaland are known for their warmth and hospitality, welcoming guests with open arms and genuine smiles.

This charming festival has consistently drawn tourists and travelers who plan their visits to coincide with this remarkable event, making it an integral part of their holiday experiences.

HISTORY OF THE FESTIVAL

The festival derives its name from the Indian Hornbill, a bird deeply ingrained in the folklore and traditions of Nagaland, frequently seen in its lush forests. Nagaland’s diverse tribes hold their cultural heritage in high regard, making their enthusiastic participation in the festival a matter of great pride. This annual celebration has been a vibrant part of Nagaland’s cultural landscape for the past 16 years. Initially conceived as a cultural showcase in the year 2000, the festival has continued to grow in strength and significance. Its primary objective is the preservation and protection of Naga culture, fostering unity and stronger bonds among the various tribes of Nagaland. The remarkable success of the festival can be largely attributed to the dedicated efforts of the Nagaland tourism department.

Duration of the Festival:

The Hornbill festival is a yearly event, commencing in the first week of December and continuing for a week. The government of Nagaland is the driving force behind this cultural extravaganza, with festivities extending from December 1st to December 7th. The capital city, Kohima, serves as the festival’s inaugural location.

 Select your start date in between following dates.

Start Date	End Date
November – 30 – 2023	December – 9 – 2023

Highlights and Key Rituals of the Festival:

A significant highlight of the Hornbill Festival is the Hornbill International Rock Festival, featuring performances by both local and international rock bands at the Indira Gandhi Stadium. The celebrations and concerts continue late into the night, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere.

The festival features a wide array of religious and ceremonial parades.

Each tribe showcases its unique ceremonial performances, characterized by their exquisite beauty and distinctive style.

Traditional folk dances and musical performances, brimming with energy, serve as a vivid reflection of Nagaland’s rich cultural heritage.

Various events, such as sports, crafts exhibitions, dance performances, fashion shows, and beauty competitions, provide platforms for celebrating Naga culture and ethnicity, while also fostering a sense of healthy competition.

The festival offers a culinary delight with diverse food fairs, games, songs, musical concerts, and entertainment to keep the celebratory spirit alive.

Visitors can explore traditional artwork, woodcrafts, handicrafts, sculptures, paintings, and wood carvings, with opportunities for purchasing and admiring these artistic creations. Additionally, herbal medicine stalls and flower shows add to the festivities.

The festival’s food stalls offer a wide range of delicacies, including the delectable traditional Naga cuisine. For the more athletically inclined, there are traditional archery contests, Naga wrestling, indigenous games, and various other sporting activities.

Hornbill Festival Tour Packages

Hornbill Festival Nagaland Tour Itinerary

4 Night 5 Days Hornbill Festival Itinerary –

Day 1 –

DIMAPUR-KOHIMA On arrival, you will meet our representative at Dimapur airport and a drive to the capital of Nagaland, Kohima. Enroute you may see locals women selling organic vegetables and fruits as well as other local unique and indigenous products. On reaching Kohima you can check in at the pre-booked hotel. Overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 2 –

HORNBILL FESTIVALThe morning of day 2, you will be taken for a short tour visiting some local market and World War II cemetery. After, you will be taken for the festival in Kisama Heritage Village where you will spend the rest of the day witnessing folk songs, dances and locals wearing colourful traditional attire. You can also visit shops and pick up souvenirs as a memento. Lunch at the festival where you can taste some local cuisine of Nagaland. You will also be taken to visit Phesama village on your way back to Kohima followed by an overnight stay.

Day 3 –

HORNBILL FESTIVALAfter breakfast you will be taken to explore Kigwema village and get some idea about the village lifestyle. Later, you will be taken to the Hornbill festival. You can witness fascinating and ethnic culture of the Nagas through this festival. You can also participate in the night carnival at Kohima where you can see people selling different items from Christmas decorations to chicken barbecue. This infact is one of the most interesting aspect of the carnival, the entire street will be filled with lights and flooded with people. After the fun affair, head back to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 4 –

HORNBILL FESTIVAL After breakfast, you will be driven to Jakhama village where you can explore the village followed by a drive to the Hornbill festival. Attend the festival followed by lunch and a drive to Khonoma village which is 20 km from Kohima. Later, you will be driven to Seikhakie for overnight camping in a cabin/tented accommodation.Khonoma village is the first Green Village of India and has taken an odd step by declaring 27 sq kms of its territory as Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary (KNCTS).

Day 5 –

DEPARTUREAfter breakfast, you will be driven to Dimapur to connect your flight/train for your onward journey.

Tour and Services ends